The Raft: "Xanadu"

Tucked away, hidden somewhere near Liverpool comes an artist that has sent me a very beautiful song that makes my heart swell. Listening to this track will make you want to curl up on your couch with your special someone and forget about looking at the time. The mix and arrangement has a throwback appeal but at the same time is still fresh and very relevant. Xanadu, is my new favorite pop track of the week and says something, because there is so much Pop music out there that sometimes I find myself nearly stubbing my toe, falling over and breaking my neck.

The song opens with a simple percussion loop that makes me want to stand open my hands, raise them to the sky and begin dancing. Guitar notes dance through the air around me and sound cold as ice, so clear and concise, yet at the same time are so warm and welcoming to the ear. Sounds that are layered are varied in texture creating a rich sound scape that invites you on a journey through your mind as well through artist's. 

Vocals sound as if they are rolling out of Phil's mouth with pure emotion. It seems as though they are just flowing telepathically out of his mind without a breath spent. They sound smooth as silk dancing in the breeze of a warm spring day. The guitar solo that comes in around the 2:55 mark takes the tale further down the road. There was no need for a whirlwind of notes but ones tastefully played that appear as an open hand welcoming you along the journey. 

The chorus will have you singing along no matter what your ability to sing is. As it bounces through my mind I find a peace and still have a longing that is not satisfied but only by the continuation of this song. While "Xanadu" comes in at an epic 6:55 in length it by no means wears out its welcome. Rounding out the cut is a female vocal that is just as smooth as the rest of the song, and as it fades out I find my wondering what to do next besides hit play again. 

I recommend this song to those that like Pop, Electronic, Alternative and Indie styles of music. It was truly another beautiful experience from Phil Wilson. It's worth a spin or twenty.

Michael Smith

Check out the album: https://philtheraft.bandcamp.com/album/abloom

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theraft1/

Great Band With a Rap/Rock Vibe

Sometimes you come across a song that embodies the spirit of rock 'n roll. It's the type of music that is not "safe" and it's not something that you wouldn't play in front of your Mom. Nude Eagle has hit the raunchy-groove oriented rap/rock bulls eye. I never know what I am going to hear when I hit play and after the first eleven seconds my face began to smile. I will guarantee that this is not a song or band that everyone will like, but that's not what rock 'n roll is supposed to be, at least in my opinion. I had some idea that I was going to be in for a treat when I get a song from a band called "Nude Eagle". 

Both Sides of Your Mouth starts off with a blues guitar intro that may make you think your in for a simple laid back blues cigarettes and whiskey type of song. But just when you settle in the guitar's gain cranks and the boys from N.E. throw down their groove. This song has plenty of swing and I mean that in a way that will make your naughty girlfriend jump on top of a table and start dancing in a way good girls don't if you know what I mean.



I love the guitar tone. It weaves through the song and holds a grind a funk type of groove that makes you want to move your feet and bang your head. The guitar solo that kicks in 2:55 has elements of hair metal and blues with a twist that is all its own. I found myself wanting to play air guitar and then just go grab mind. On display is a tone and playing that will remind you about how fun and dangerous guitar playing can be.

The bass guitar was probably my most favorite element. It just makes this song bounce. Instead of a low, dull tone that plows through a song the bass guitar here weaves around brings this song to life. The playing and tone had the appropriate amount of flash and fun without taking over the song. 

The percussion on this track was done well also. I liked the groove and the drummer stayed in the pocket. Again just like the guitar and bass work the drums held there ground with the right amount of spice and flair. I liked some of the action on the high hat and how it countered the snare/kick action. There is true talent in this band and it shows by volumes.

The vocals on this cut made me pause. I loved the vocalist's tone. He has that back alley deep tone delivery that made you want to look around to see if you were bout to get caught hooking up with a fix, but wait this is a song. He sounds authentic, reserved but still pulls off the bad-ass vibe. The only complaint that I had was that I personally felt the vocals were a bit buried in the mix. But what do I know? You can hear him. I just think that with the quick delivery of some of the stanzas it would have helped the song to have him up in the mix a bit.

End line, do yourself a favor, get some great speakers and crank this song. Don't have good speakers? Okay, crank it anyway. Just check your attitude and presumptions at the door and have a fun time with this song.

Michael Smith

Ignitemares: Letters to Lauras

There's nothing so nice as a song that bleeds emotion. Unfortunately that usually means an artist has gone through a great deal. On display here, is an artist as long through as long through personal turmoil and decided to share the world. That alone is very brave, to do so on a stage in front of other people is even more daring. The Ignitemares pride themselves as a three piece pop punk band that hales from South Wales which writes in a view of classic pop punk with a weird side and prone to having a serious slant. That said I would say the achieve what the aspire to be... or not to be. 

"Letters to Lauras" wastes no time coming out of the gate with

distorted guitars, a thick bass guitar and behemoth drumming. Sticking to a Pop Punk approach vocally Keyleigh Morgan sings melodically and thankfully clearly. Nothing is more trying than a vocalist singing clean but sounds as if there are marbles in their mouth. Kayleigh approaches the mic and belts out the song well, but I have be honest. I think she's holding back. There are a few moments in this song where she lets go. Like around the 2:24 mark, she lets out a belting scream that is just for the song. However given the lyrical content I think that the song would have favored better if she would have let go a bit more in this song. Letting go doesn't mean that you have to scream nonstop till your vocal chords fall out but for some reason I feel she's holding back and not letting all her passion out vocally. 

The guitars preformed are done very well. I like the tone for the most part and it fits the sound and dynamic of the band. However around the 1:20 mark there is a shift in tone that is a bit more gritty. I thought that this shift was awesome but would have liked to hear it though out the entire track. The guitar tones seem safe and too ordinary for the genre. These are personal preferences and there is nothing wrong with the tone and approach but again it makes the song a bit "safe" or reserved and that flys a bit in the face of what is to be "punk" if there is such a thing. 

The bass guitar is nestled in the mix in an okay place, but here to I think that this band would benefit from boosting the midrange frequencies and letting the low note pop a bit more into the mix. The playing is good and seems right in the pocket. If you've got great players let it fly. If people don't like it there are plenty of other safe rock bands out there they can listen to. The drums stay on track and are preformed well. The dynamics of the song are allowed to swing without things getting out of control. Again though as I listen to the song I almost wonder if the mixing engineer or producer was playing it too safe. There's talent here on display. The frequencies just aren't getting out and the mix is holding this band back. 

Over all, this is a band to watch if their arc continues on the same trajectory and continues to rise. The only place this band has to go is but up unless they self implode or fall to cliche' self-destructiveness. So do yourself a favor, listen to this band, crank it up, go to a show and cheer them on. I gotta believe that they are something to behold live. There's just too much guts on display to conceive that they are shy and afraid to let it rip.

Michael Smith

Fireglow: "Modern Life"

Take a trip to the other side of the world in your mind and on your calendar and you will find without a doubt the happiest dark song you will ever come across. Based out of Sydney, Australia comes a band that is full of fun for the whole family. Maybe though, you don't want the kiddos to listen to hard to the music. "Modern Life" is a happy-go-lucky song that starts of singing about the oily water with bricks and glass. It's the kind of song that draws the listener in, gets bobbing their head and then... "WHAT!"

All that said I really like the song. It has an upbeat groove and style that is indicative of what you might hear during the montage of a Brady Bunch episode. The sing song nature as well as the infectious groove will have you humming this in your head well after the song is over. I really like the percussion work on this track. It holds the groove well and has a number of tasteful fills that give the song the right balance and spice that it needs. The band overall has the 60s - 70s retro music style down cold. I can't think of anyone off the top of my head that nails it so well. The guitar work at hand  has that indelible clean tone that makes you want to put on your favorite sneakers and smile while skipping in the grocery store. I even found myself wanting to air guitar a few times while listening. The bass guitar is in the pocket (though I would have liked it a bit more prominent in places). The tone is spot on with a bounce and growl that makes you want to shake your hips and howl at the moon.

Keyboard work it on spot as well. With a groovy organ tone you want to look for your bell bottoms and put on some rose colored sunglasses. Piano sounds cascade in the right places make you want to drop the top and sing along at the top of your lungs. What I find most delicious and prominent in this song is the vocal harmonies dominating in the chorus. That's the million dollar hook that propels this song into short term memory replay part of your brain. The vocal textures are fun and bounce through the ears that make it nearly impossible to frown despite the gloomy lyrical subject. Mix and production are really pretty good. This isn't some group of hacks in their garage recording with their thumbs with everything cranked to 11. 

If you're in the mood for something different, like retro-rock or want something that will put an extra kick in your step then check out Fireglow and their track "Modern Life". Just make sure that you aren't in a room with low ceilings you may find yourself bopping your head and getting a concussion. Other side affects include: swaying hips, an unending smile and a fear of postmodern industrialism. 

Michael Smith

Ascension - Into the Mountains by Joseph K. Perez

Sometimes life can just be overwhelming and the right piece of music comes along at the right time. As I open "Ascension" and allow the synth textures to roll over my ears I feel as if I have been bathed in a cascade of sonic waves that manage with the aid of my coffee to take me away from life and the far too busy hustle-n-bussle of it all. This piece is accompanied with a video of what I am assuming is drone footage of rock formations in the LasVegas, Nevada area. As far as marriage of visuals and sounds I think you find that this is a very good match. 

The track opens with the buzz of grainy synth textures much like the granular textures of the rock formations present in the video, but soon the sonic scene opens with bell textures and swirling sounds that almost seem to make you feel as if you have been pulled out of your chair and into the clouds. The cut has a laid back vibe that allows you to enjoy the scenery and escape your surroundings. This is the type of music that I would like to have in the background when I am trying to cleanse my musical pallet so that I can think clearly and not be weighted down by any over obtrusive socio/political ideas. The tones are crisp and refreshing. I get an impression of "New Age" and that's not bad, perhaps it is just me. I also get a very clean feeling. Walking away from the track I am ready to get work done and start my day even if it is 11:00pm at night. 

The only downside to this track (if there is one) is the percussion work. Now this is where I interject my opinion and that is in regards to the percussion sounds on the song. I like the placement, approach and construction. However, the mix of the these elements highlights the "metal work". I would have liked to have heard more "punch" from the low-end frequencies. Granted this would have changed the overall vibe and given it more gusto playing down the "chill vibe" on display. Personally with such grand landscapes on display with jagged edges that run in opposite direction of the smooth filming and camera holding I just thought that it would have helped accentuate that. But in full disclosure, I'm a rock guy. I like heavy drums.

I think everyone should listen to this track, but if you are into electronic music of a subdued nature you will especially appreciate this piece. Those that care for Top 40 type material probably won't find enough bells and whistles here to keep an ADHD mind interested, but there is a craft here on display that should be appreciated. 

Check out the video: https://www.skypixel.com/videos/ascension-into-the-mountains?utm_source=copied&utm_medium=PCWeb&utm_campaign=share&sp=0&fbclid=IwAR0ryjaUUbjXk8Njgj7GTYQiacnou_t24V6dBeVMxKCLEDe8koNaGjJKJAU


Michael Smith

The Black Maniac: “All I Know”

Etherial tones open this tack from Ta Black Maniac. “All I Know” isn’t the cliche’ spin about money, women, drugs and cars. This lyrical journey is reflective in nature. The smooth synths in the background lays down a scene that is ideal for the dream like flashbacks that are revealed here. There is a great beat here that is anchored with a solid kick and snare interplay. While it’s not complex it allows for a great performance and accentuates the synths perfectly. Don’t be deceived by it’s simplicity. It’s very beautiful in the overall composition and the beat drops enough to keep you on your toes. 

Vocally the tones on display are great. They don’t see amateur or “over-acted”. The performance is real and in your face. You can tell that this is truth and real life lived. There isn’t really an apologies here. It’s a story about a man trying to live life the best he can but sometimes life gets in the way and you feel you gotta do what you gotta do. Production-wise this has been done very well. You can clearly hear the lyrics and understand them.  All the elements on display cut through the overall mix and have there own home, so that your ears have a banquet to feast on.

Okay, this is a rap, but I would recommend this to everyone.  I feel that this is great writing and a beautiful story is on display. It’s something that should be playing everywhere but isn’t. If you like rap and hip hop genres check it out but if you are someone who just likes a great story I don’t think you will regret spending 3:58 listening, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself putting this on repeat. I listened five times myself before I had to get up and go to work.

Check out the song: https://youtu.be/DJq5PXhcBck

Floral: "This Year"

With a burst of energy Floral open “This Year” with an array of percussion hits and notes that takes your mind on a journey through the recesses of your mind. Question is, will you like what you find? 

The pallet of my ears is well justified for the mix is in full blossom with all elements well represented. The guitars dance from foreground to the back while the bass is well represented from the sides allowing your hips to groove as you walk through the house. The drums pack the appropriate punch to get you to nod your head with the beat, all the while you don’t have to worry about spraining your neck. 

Being that this is an instrumental track, it lends the listener to have a blank canvas as to what the subject matter is. I find myself in the city at a crosswalk. The traffic is busy moving faster than normal and I have to make my way across so that I can get home. Having to time my moves just right I make it across the intersection and on my way. Weaving in and out of people and obstacles I finally find peace and end in arriving home. Any adventure of the mind and emotion could take place with this track in the back ground.

This track is just beautiful. I would recommend this track to those that like rock genres such as indie and prog. This track has a very uplifting feel to in and can help to be that sun rising on a cloudy day. 

Hats off to Floral with an excellent track for a Sunday afternoon. Check it out. It’s definitely worth the spin.

Check it out: https://floral1.bandcamp.com

by

Michael